Moving Averages 101

Moving Averages 101

The simple premise is that if the price of security (or market) is trading above a moving average then the action is healthy and if the price is trading below an important moving average then the action is not as healthy. It is also important to note that it is healthy to see a stock (or market) move back to a moving average on light volume during an uptrend (converse is also true) and then bounce off that moving average on higher volume (ideal scenario). This natural occurrence is actually considered healthy as most leading stocks (and markets) tend to do this during a protected uptrend. That said, moving averages offer prudent investors a healthy chance to accumulate a position as the underlying investment pulls back to a logical area of support. However, a technical sell signal will be triggered once an important moving average is broken (especially if volume is heavy) and that is an important warning sign most investors should look for.